Monday, March 24, 2008

Another Reason Cuppy’s Coffee is #1

Marketing-The Cuppy’s Coffee Marketing Department is made up of the best and brightest who will provide you with marketing training, user-friendly marketing manuals, seasonal campaigns, promotions and merchandising assistance. The marketing department’s focus is to help you have the best materials and programs possible so you can attract and retain guests. Cuppy’s Coffee is continually turning innovative ideas into winning programs, helping to brand on a global level.

For more information on how you can join our growing company visit our website at www.cuppys.com

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A Career at Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More

Expansion and growth has fueled the need for people looking to enter the world of specialty coffee. Cuppy’s Coffee franchises across the nation are looking for individuals who meet their standards and would like to be part of a growing phenomenum in the coffee industry. To view current openings please click here for information.
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Monday, March 3, 2008

Coffee Business: Getting Creative With Financing

Opening a business in today’s climate can be a test of endurance. With credit lending companies getting more and more strict on loans, an entreprenuer needs to be a little more creative in obtaining financing for his/her startup business. The coffee industry is no exception. Your dreams of opening a coffee cafe can come to fruition, even in tough economic times. This article from Entreprenuer.com addresses ways you can get creative in securing funds for your project.

By Asheesh Advani
  
Startup Financing During the Credit Crunch
Creativity goes a long way when it comes to financing your startup during tough economic times.
 

The credit crunch that began with mortgages has now spread to consumer loans and small business financing. Banks have tightened their lending criteria and business owners will need to look elsewhere for financing. This shouldn’t be a surprise to readers of this column because I’ve often complained that banks tend to ignore startups even during normal market circumstance. The credit crunch has resulted in rising defaults for revolving credit in addition to mortgages; this could translate into higher fees and tougher underwriting standards if you plan to finance your business with credit card debt or home equity lines of credit. It’s time to look for alternatives. Read the article

Following your dreams to the end will undoubtedly be a journey of perseverance, but being creative can see those dreams bear the fruit of your endurance.

Posted by Cuppy's at 15:59:04 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Day After: Is There Any Difference?

Yesterday, Starbucks closed for retraining. Today is the day of truth, will consumers notice a considerable difference after spending 15min in line? The national broadcast of the closing has escalated the coffee giant to the likes of the OJ Simpson murder trial. What better way to get free marketing and advertisement?

Acting on reports of poorly made coffee drinks over the years, head barista Howard Schultz closed all 7100 stores and retrained his staff to pull a ’real shot’, froth milk correctly, and usher in a newer more friendlier Starbucks.

The details of any significant changes have yet to be reported. Where is the buzz on this? Is anyone reporting a celestial taste difference in the coffee?

The day after: Business as usual.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Cuppy’s Coffee: Ethiopia Export of Flowers, Will it Surpass Coffee?

Blending, the process of roasting different beans with others, creates some of today’s most popular coffee concoctions. At Cuppy’s Coffee our roasters used hand picked beans from around the world and expertly blends and hand roasts them to give our customers a true Italian experience. The beans selected for our espresso come from around the globe such as South and Central America to Ethiopia. Crafted together the blend is what sets our coffee apart from the competition.

The countries of origin for our beans are constantly in the news and at Cuppy’s the following was picked up off the newswires. Follow the link at the bottom of the excerpt to read the entire story.

Pictures of famine and war once graced our minds when it came to Ethiopia. This African country, still has a long way to go in terms of being a self sufficient stabilized country. Coffee is one of Ethiopia’s major exports to countries around the world dependent upon the caffeinated plants. The beans from this region are highly sought after by many sources. But lately in the news flowers from Ethiopia are starting to have an impact on the economy accounting for 1% GDP. This begs to ask the question: Will flowers replace Ethiopia’s dominant export coffee in the near future?

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Pictures of emaciated children dying in their mothers’ arms during Ethiopia’s famine in 1985 cemented the country’s image as a barren land where nothing grows.

But just 30 minutes south of the capital, Addis Ababa, green hills and lush valleys abound, perfect for cultivating the country’s fastest growing export — flowers. (read the rest of the story)

 

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Saturday, February 16, 2008

Cuppy’s/Java Jo’z/Elite Manufacturing Emerging Spirits

In 2006 Cuppy’s Coffee was formed and is hoping to capitalize on the thirst of specialty coffee drinkers. Dodging potholes and obstacles along the way Cuppy’s Coffee has won awards for its franchise. Building drive-ups, cafes, and kiosk Cuppy’s approved vendor, Elite Manufacturing is dotting the landscapes with coffee stores across America. Elite Manufacturing works closely with Medina Enterprises and Cuppy’s Coffee to facilitate the entire coffee concept experience.


To some people the confusion with Cuppy’s Coffee and another licensing company is understandable.  Assuming the leases, equipment and communications equipment from this licensing company was a complex transaction. Wanting to provide a stable work environment and relying on the knowledge of employees Cuppy’s Coffee also offered position to the staff. Licensees of Java Jo’z in this transaction have no financial or legal association with Cuppy’s Coffee, Elite, or Medina. The distinction between the two companies wasn’t clear by some who had relations with Java Jo’z that was defined in the transaction.


Doug Hibbing, president of Cuppy’s can see why the confusion exists. “We had the same location and phone numbers and a similar logo and this is why they think we are the same company

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Friday, February 1, 2008

Cuppy’s Coffee Expanding Stores-Starbucks Closing Doors

Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More opened 5 new locations in January and its slated projections are to open several new locations in February 2008. This comes amidst the news that Starbucks is curbing new store growth and closing nearly 100 underperforming stores in its restructuring to get back to its former glory days. In news articles posted throughout the internet, head barista Howard Schultz’s plan is to revive a already saturated Starbuck philosphy of dominance in the specialty coffee arena. Competition from burger giant McDonalds and others played heavily in the declining stock value of the coffee Goliath.

People want an experience of wanting to belong to something special. Cuppy’s Coffee core values are geared to meet that need. Every owner goes thru an extensive training program learning the art of barista-ship. Cuppy’s Coffee just doesn’t serve coffee, it serves up an authentic espresso experience to its customers and it is this experience that continues to grow the company and brand.

As Starbucks scales back, look for Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More to fill a void left by the coffee goliath’s wake of world coffee dominance. Being the biggest and baddest necessarily doesn’t mean you’re the best. Howard Schultz’s realization of this fact may have come a little to late to regain its respect as a community coffee house.

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Friday, January 25, 2008

McDonalds Enters Specialty Coffee Industry

The Wall Street Journal covered McDonalds’ plans to bring baristas and coffee bars to its 14,000 locations. Writer Wendy Bounds made an interesting observation that McDonalds will compete with Starbucks, but not necessarily the smaller shops.

Starbucks has truly created the coffee industry and made it possible for smaller chains like Cuppy’s Coffee to even exist. It is interesting, however to see how Starbucks has become more like McDonalds in that they have streamlined their processes. Because Starbucks is a public company its decisions are driven by profits. Smaller, locally owned chains like Cuppy’s Coffee can still focus on what the customers want. This means hand-pulling each espresso shot and staying true to the Italian barista-customer experience. I would not call McDonalds move into the coffee market as the saving grace for smaller shops, but I do not think they will not be able to provide what the smaller coffee shops can.

While the smaller shops gain customer loyalty through authenticity and by offering a sense of community, to some customers a cup of coffee is still just that, a cup of coffee. If McDonalds is offering gourmet coffee too, it is just one more option for consumers and it all boils down to location and convenience.

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

2008: Cuppy’s Coffee Offers a New Cup Format in the Specialty Coffee Industry

Move over Starbuck®, there’s a new cup in town, offering a different experience and taste of specialty coffee. Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More, Inc. headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, FL is positioning itself to be the coffee shop of choice when it comes to coffee connoisseur’s taste buds. In the past, consumers had a relatively small selection of coffee houses in which to purchase a latte or fruit smoothie. Most industry experts and insiders agree that Starbucks® has a lock on the specialty coffee drinking segment of the population, this being fueled by their enormous growth both nationally and internationally. But in 2008 Cuppy’s Coffee is giving America a choice. Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More offers an exciting alternative to investors, entrepreneurs and those wishing to start their own business in the specialty coffee industry. From an investor’s point of view, those who were left out in the early days of Starbucks’® now may have a second bite at that bean.

Introduced on a small scale in the late 60’s, lattes, cappuccinos and espresso based beverages have made a tremendous jump in appeal to consumer looking for a product to satisfy their caffeine addiction. Over the next several years, thanks in part to Starbucks®, consumers were introduced and educated in mass to the delights that specialty coffee has to offer. One marketing slogan, Cuppy’s Coffee proudly shouts is ‘Taste the Difference’ which is reflected not only in coffee but in the service and quality of all their products. According to 2006 statistics from the Specialty Coffee Association of America¹, the percentage of American adults consuming specialty coffee drinks stands at 16%, up 3% from 2002. The specialty coffee market size has grown annually from and $8.3 billion dollar industry to $12.27 billion dollars during the same time period. Cuppy’s Coffee has seen a spiked interest in people wanting to be apart of this growing industry. Sales over the past year have steadily risen every month since the new company was formed. So what is it that sets Cuppy’s Coffee apart from their competitor?


“Taking highly selected beans and roasting them to perfection, and making sure our franchisees have the freshly roasted beans in a timely fashion, is one of the keys to our popularity and success.” states Amy Hiller, Vice President of Operations with Cuppy’s Coffee. “Our competition relies heavily on mass roasting low grade beans and then stocking this product on shelves for months. We expect our franchisees to use only beans that have been roasted within a two week period. The taste is very noticeable” she continues.

Cuppy’s Coffee chooses not to use fully automated machines, unlike many other coffee houses, but instead elects to train and educate its franchisees on the art of being a barista. Training to be a barista is not as easy at it seems and requires dedication and a passion for coffee. Franchisees learn on semi-automatic espresso machines, the nuances of the grind and the techniques of preparing a recipe for success as well as doing all of this in a timely fashion. This training allows Cuppy’s Coffee to stand out and avoid the pitfalls of its competition. For example, in a article printed in the Wall Street Journal Howard Schultz chairman of Starbucks® questioned in a memo ‘whether Starbucks’® drive for growth and efficiency has diluted that experience. In this blunt Feb. 14 memo, he warned executives that the chain may be commoditizing its brand and making itself more vulnerable to competition from other coffee shops and fast-food chains. The nearly 800-word memo questioned whether Starbucks’ automatic espresso machines, new store designs and elimination of some in-store coffee grinding may have compromised the “romance and theatre” of a visit.’²

“People want to feel they are special” Rachel Clark, Vice President of Marketing with Cuppy’s Coffee states. “Remove the human element and you in turn remove the experience and the very thing that makes specialty coffee special. Consumers will spend the extra dollars for a great drink but they’ll give you something more when you treat them special, their loyalty.”


Cuppy’s Coffee founded in May of 2006 bought the assets of a struggling brand and quickly turned the industry on its tail. Not only offering brick and mortar cafes, Cuppy’s Coffee went after a segment of the market that has tremendous growth potential, the drive thru. Concentrating on offering a complete package, Cuppy’s Coffee decided to bring all aspects of opening and operating a coffee business in house. Franchisees have assistance in real estate, finance, marketing, purchasing product and customer service all in one location. This business format principal sets Cuppy’s Coffee apart from other competitors and allows the company to keep better records on the growth and success of its brand.


“We no longer are at the mercy of third party vendors when it comes to assisting our franchisees, we now have the ability to monitor and track all stages of our franchisees openings and successes.” Doug Hibbing, President of Cuppy’s Coffee says. These differentiating factors have paid off in terms of recognition throughout the franchising community. In May 2007, Cuppy’s Coffee was awarded the American Association of Franchise and Dealers³ highest award for fairness and dedication to franchisees. Scoring the highest in the Association’s history with a 99.5% overall rating, Cuppy’s Coffee can proudly state, “There’s a New Cup in Town”.


Cuppy’s Coffee offers the drive thru modular building and cafes, and a line of products that are designed and marketed to reach the masses. Branding the name Cuppy’s Coffee can be found at your local Friday night high school football game in the form of Cuppy’s Coffee mobile unit, or in the main foyer of your executive offices with a Cuppy’s Coffee cart or kiosk. Also, look for your local Cuppy’s Coffee when you head into the mall for a little shopping.


The population, entrepreneurs and investors are ready for a new and exciting coffee house concept. In 2008 Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More is stepping up to be that choice when it comes time to satisfy the need for a refreshing specialty coffee experience.


For more information on Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More and/or to find a store near you, visit their website at www.cuppys.com


END


SOURCES:

Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More www.cuppys.com348 Miracle Strip Pkwy Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 (888-241-4324)

¹ Specialty Coffee Association of America www.scaa.org 330 Golden Shore, Suite 50 Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: (562) 624-4100

² Wall Street Journal www.wsj.com online edition February 24, 2007

³ American Association of Franchisees & Dealers www.aafd.org PO Box 81887, San Diego, CA 92138-1887 (800-733-9858)

Posted by Cuppy's at 17:15:20 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Cuppy’s Coffee First Annual Scholarship Essay Contest

Cuppy’s is proud to sponsor the First Annual Scholarship Essay Contest for your baristas. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $500.00 Scholarship Savings Bond towards the college of their choice and publication of their essay in the Bean Street Journal.

All Cuppy’s Coffee high school seniors are encouraged to enter this contest. Cuppy’s has always been about our families, community and the education of our youth. This essay will not only encourage our baristas to succeed, but also promote a family atmosphere among all our open stores nationwide. Details for entry can be found online at Cuppys.net. Show your support for our young people by encouraging  them to enter.

Posted by Cuppy's at 18:54:13 | Permalink | Comments (1) »